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Federal Cash Saves 140 Jobs in Round Rock ISD

A pep rally at Round Rock High School in 2007
Photo by Dragon Cheer http://www.flickr.com/photos/dragoncheer/
A pep rally at Round Rock High School in 2007

Remember a couple months ago when the Round Rock Independent School District said it was going to lay off 280 employees? That number has been cut in half, thanks to almost $6.9 million from the federal government. You can view a table of what RRISD intends to the spend the money on its website.

The district learned earlier this month it would be receiving the money as part of the Federal Education Jobs fund.  The money was initially denied to Texas because of an amendment to the bill added by Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin). His so-called "Save Our Schools" rider would have prevented Texas from using the money to replace state funding for public schools.

Last month, however, Congressional Democrats repealed the amendment as part of a concession to avoid a government shutdown. Congressman Doggett was not amused.  Now, the money is being distributed to Texas public schools and is indeed filling budget gaps left by anticipated state cuts to K-12 education.

The Texas Education Agency says it distributed the money based on average daily attendance.  A TEA spreadsheet showing how the money was distributed indicates Austin ISD will get $13.8 million.  Here are the disbursement amounts for some other Central Texas districts.

  • Bastrop ISD $1.48 million
  • Del Valle ISD $1.81 million
  • Dripping Springs ISD $673,000
  • Eanes ISD $1.12 million
  • Georgetown ISD $1.62 million
  • Hays CISD $2.42 million
  • Hutto ISD $830,500
  • Lake Travis ISD $1.02 million
  • Leander ISD $5.89 million
  • New Braunfels ISD $1.21 million
  • Pflugerville ISD $3.65 million
  • San Marcos CISD $1.19 million
Nathan Bernier is the transportation reporter at KUT. He covers the big projects that are reshaping how we get around Austin, like the I-35 overhaul, the airport's rapid growth and the multibillion dollar transit expansion Project Connect. He also focuses on the daily changes that affect how we walk, bike and drive around the city. Got a tip? Email him at nbernier@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @KUTnathan.